What's on this weekend in Melbourne

Discover things to do in Melbourne this weekend, from free events to exhibitions, attractions and places to visit.

The NGV and Arts Centre lit up on a winter night.

This weekend

A shadowy silhouette of two woman with their hair in rollers, one whispering into the ear of the other, set against a purple-blue background.
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Steel Magnolias

See the beloved film live on stage in this new Australian production.

Woman wearing a kimono, seated behind a striped table covering with stylised ikebana arrangement.
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Nordic Japan x Hikari Ikebana Masterclass Workshop

Discover the quiet beauty of Japanese floral design, and develop your creative style.

Two faces superimposed onto an artwork of a rearing horse.
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Ubu Roi

The play that inspired the Theatre of the Absurd, Dadaism and Surrealism.

Photo booth images of a girl screaming and pulling a face with a red background.
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Proof of Concept

A double bill production of works-in-progress.

A performer wearing a white trench coat and a pig's snout nose, carrying a chicken head mask under one arm, her other arm raised above her head, standing on a stage in front of a yellow curtain.
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Animal Farm

George Orwell’s classic allegory is unleashed - this isn’t the farm you thought you knew.

Still from a movie of a view through a doorway of a blonde woman kneeling and supporting a dark-haired individual that leans against an old fridge in a sparsely furnished room.
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In Her Arms: MIFF Screening

A short film about a Ukrainian couple returning to their home, screening as part of MIFF.

Classical musicians seated playing stringed instruments with a conductor.
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Jaime Conducts Mahler 6

Mahler’s Symphony No 6 and the world premiere of a new work by James Henry.

Dramatically lit ballet dancers performing mid-poise with arms and legs stretched.
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Ballet International Gala VII

Witness the world’s biggest artists in ballet’s event of the year.

Performers on stage in Queen Vic Market sheds, with children seated on the ground and onlookers standing.
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Cachivaches Latin Market

A vibrant cultural event celebrating the best of Latin American traditions in Melbourne.

Market stall tents with signage next to a heritage brick building, with greenery and families.
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Younghusband Market

With great music, curated stalls, hands-on workshops and delicious food, a vibrant scene awaits.

A crowded indoor nightclub scene with a DJ performing on stage under purple and blue lighting and people dancing.

Nongkrong Festival: Soda Gembira

A night of Indonesia’s club sounds from dangdut, koplo, funkot, jedag jedug to breakbeat.

A hand drawing with a yellow marker, amongst colourful drawings of cell pathways on a black surface.

Grow a Drawing with Briony Barr

Magnify the micro in this drop-in drawing activity with visual artist Briony Barr.

Five people dressed in 1920s explorer costumes standing in front of a wall of Egyptian hieryoglyphics.

Murder on the Nile

An Agatha Christie-inspired murder mystery dinner experience like no other.

A group of people on a walking tour in a South Yarra street looking at two white terrace houses.

Walking Tour: Stories of South Yarra

A walking tour exploring the architectural streetscapes, landscape and local history of South Yarra.

People dancing on stage at an Indian festival.

IFFM Dance Competition

The Indian Film Festival Dance Competition returns with vibrant performances.

A North Melbourne AFL player handballing a yellow football during a match.

AFL Round 23: North Melbourne Kangaroos v Geelong Cats

Get to Marvel Stadium to watch the North Melbourne Kangaroos face Geelong Cats.

A Richmond AFL player celebrating on the grassy field, with his arm raised and finger pointing skywards, blurred fans in the stadium behind him.

AFL Round 23: Richmond v St Kilda

Richmond play St Kilda at the MCG in their final home game of the premiership season.

A large crows celebrates Indian Independence Day in Federation Square as a load of orange, green and white confetti falls from the sky.

IFFM Independence Day Celebration

Celebrate culture and community at IFFM's Independence day celebrations.

A Western Bulldogs AFL player looking pleased, with his fist clenched in front of his chest.

AFL Round 23: Western Bulldogs v Carlton

Don’t miss this pivotal clash where Western Bulldogs take on Carlton at Marvel Stadium.

A stylized, multi-coloured illustration of a man's face, wearing glasses, designed to look like a transit or subway map.

Maps: Science Week Opening Session

Hear hilarious true stories about maps and mapping mistakes in a fun event to start Science Week.

A yellow painted object shaped like a mushroom sits on a wooden table alongside a blue bird figurine, a blue rectangular block, a yellow paint can, and a messy paintbrush balanced across them.

Wearable Art: Design your own Tee with Hana Assafari

Eat, drink and design your own t-shirt in one afternoon.

Person holding a large bunch of fresh rhubarb with carrots at an outdoor market stall.
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Docklands Waterfront Farmers' Market

Showcasing fresh produce, market eats and live entertainment on Harbour Esplanade.

Regular weekend events

A group of six actors and actresses standing in a line in front of a purple branding board with MIFF printed on it.
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Melbourne International Film Festival

Experience eye-opening cinema at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Visitors enjoying an evening event at the National Gallery of Victoria, seated on stools under shadowy lighting.
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NGV Friday Nights: Cartier

NGV Friday Nights shine with Cartier, featuring live music, flims, food and drinks.

Singers and dancers on a theatre stage in a scene from A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, with spotlights and stage sets.
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A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

An inspiring, exhilarating, energetic musical memoir.

An ancient Roman marble bust with its nose chipped off, displayed on a small square plinth.
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Rome: Empire, Power, People

This Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Ancient Rome.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

An early watercolour painting of Melbourne's Yarra River.
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Yarra: Stories of Melbourne's River

Explores the chequered history of the stream we call the ‘city’s river’.

An exquisite Cartier diamond tiara, suspended against a black background.
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Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: CARTIER

Featuring nearly 400 extraordinary jewellery objects, alongside rare archival materials.

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
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Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

A dark interior space, with smoky purple rounds of light, silhouettes of people's arms pushing into these open spaces.
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Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
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Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

A small tour group looking up from the ground floor of the La Trobe Reading Room.
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State Library Victoria Unlocked

On this exclusive tour, gain access to State Library Victoria before the doors open to the public.

Man holding an old-fashioned lantern outside illuminated Flinders St Station at night, wearing a suit and cap.
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Hidden Melbourne: Ghosts, Murder and Mystery

Take a spine-chilling journey back in time to explore the rich paranormal realm of Old Melbourne.

Black and white photograph from the 1960s of model, Twiggy, wearing a mini-dress at the Melbourne Cup.
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Swinging 60s

This exhibition looks at what it was like to live in Victoria during the 1960s.

A group of people on a guided walk of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with trees in the background.
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Free Guided Walk

A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Three ballerinas on a darkened stage in glowing tutu dresses.
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Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

The shopfront of a Japanese-style craft workshop with brightly coloured craft materials on shelves and a neon sign.
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DIY Craft Workshops

Unleash your creativity at these workshops where everyone is a designer.

A stand-up comedian talking into a microphone they hold in their hand, performing live on stage.
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Main Stage: Stand-Up Comedy

Have a laugh with stand-up comedy from Australia's best comedians, plus international drop-ins.

Three people on a walking tour with a Fit City tour guide, two carrying a takeaway coffee.
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Laneways and Lattes Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne’s hidden laneways with coffee, street art, history and culture.

Two actors wearing formal clothes in a spotlight on a theatre stage during a performance of Pretty Woman: The Musical.
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Pretty Woman: The Musical

A dazzling stage adaptation of one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time.

The lobby of a comedy venue, with a blue velvet couch and red curtains.
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Sunday Night Stand Up Comedy Show

See some of Melbourne's best stand-up comedy, every Sunday night.

A person in a gallery setting looking at a sculpture of an oversize wooden pipe with a sculpture of a giant peeled mandarin balanced on the pipe.
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Poetry Goes No Further Than Language

Explore a moment in mid-1980s China when a group of artists began to question values about art.

Two people on a stage giving each other a high five, one also holding a microphone.
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Comedy at the Coopers Inn

A comedy club featuring the best local, interstate and international stand-up comedians.

Workshop class participants smiling in a studio setting, holding up mosaic pots and coasters they have made.
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Mosaic Making Workshop for Beginners

Learn the art of creating beautiful mosaics from start to finish.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
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Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.

Workshop participants smiling and holding multicoloured mosaic tiled coasters.
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Colourful Mosaic Coaster Workshop

Come and make mosaic coasters and step into the world of colours.

A close up of flower made from enamel craft
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Cloisonne Enamel Painting Workshop for Beginners

Create a unique drink coaster using the ancient cloisonné art.

Three smiling workshop participants in a studio space, holding up jewellery they have made.
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Polymer Clay Earring Workshop

Create beautiful jewellery in this fun workshop.

People looking up at the trees on a guided walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Wominjeka: journey into Melbourne Gardens with an Aboriginal guide.

Two people standing in front of a large pink spiky wall of speakers in an exhibition space.
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Reverb: A Journey into Sound

ACMI and RISING present Reverb: A Journey Into Sound, a major exhibition of vinyl culture and music.

Cheese and wine display on a table near a window.
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High Cheese

A bold, new three-tiered journey inspired by fire and water.

Table set with food and drinks next to potted palms.
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Fern’s Hidden Winter Garden

Melbourne's most-booked winter escape blooms into spring.

Installation view of the Spartans & Anzacs exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance, with people walking around the space, reading panels and looking at displays.
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Spartans & Anzacs

This exhibition invites reflection on the enduring values forged in conflict.

Two young adults observing a sculpture in a gallery space with digital and scupltural displays.
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EMERGENCE[Y]

An exhibition exploring how adaptation in a world of flux unfolds in every layer of life.

A solar eclipse, with light emerging around the edges of the blacked-out sun.
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Solar Tours

Come and experience the wonders of the Sun at the historic Melbourne Observatory.

Visitors walking through a 3D simulation of the cosmos using wireless VR headsets.
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Starstruck

Smithsonian Starstruck is an immersive 3D journey to the cosmos.

A large group of people in active wear all running on a path in park.
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Run the Tan: Run Club

Start the weekend off on the right foot with a run around the Tan.

Market stallholder with her puppet toys, beside the Yarra River in the CBD.
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The Southbank Makers Market

Explore the Southbank Makers Market every Sunday on the promenade at Southgate.

Looking over a blurred shoulder at a table with books displayed.
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World of the Book

Experience the rare, the sacred and the iconic in this one-of-a-kind exibition.

A woman on a stepladder in a garden pours water from a watering can over a man standing below.
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Uncle Vanya

Chekhov’s timeless tale, full of mordant wit, unrequited love and longing, finds new life.

A group of people seated in a small, intimate venue with red lighting and small red lamps on tables.
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Comedy Fridays at Piper's Playhouse

A fresh line-up of leading Australian comedians, alongside surprise guest appearances.

Six female performers on a purple lit stage in costumes and striking poses, all singing into microphones they hold in their hands.
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SIX the Musical

SIX the Musical makes its royal stage return to Melbourne's Comedy Theatre.

A yellow vintage phone on a wooden table illuminated by a desk lamp, part of an interactive theatre installation at the Malthouse Theatre.
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The Nightline

A crafted theatrical audio-installation experience inspired by late-night anonymous voice messages.

A group of people gathered for a group shot, some in Indian dress.
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Indian Film Festival of Melbourne

Experience Indian cinema's largest annual celebration in the southern hemisphere.

Novelty wind-up chattering teeth against a yellow background.
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Basement Comedy Club: Weekend Showcase

Bringing you the biggest names and best comedians in the country, and beyond.

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
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Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

Four rows of people sitting smiling and laughing.
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Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

Enjoy stand-up comedy from future stars and celebrity guest headliners.

Two different hands holding two wine glasses, resting on a restaurant's dining table, a plate of food and napkins also on the table.
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Mystery Sidedoor City: Wine and Asian Fusion Bites

Enjoy off-menu bites and paired drinks at a hidden Melbourne venue on this guided tasting adventure.

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.
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Mosaic Art Classes Melbourne: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop

Woman wearing white yoga top and bottoms performing a yoga stretch, one leg and arm raised.

Ground and Glow Yoga Flow with Salt Lab

Begin your morning with an hour of mindful movement.

A little girl looking at a colourful display of cushions in an art gallery.
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Children's Play: Ragnar Kjartansson

A new children's exhibition by Ragnar Kjartansson, inspired by the idea of a theatrical feast.

Four cabaret performers surrounded by pink and yellow feather fans.
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Cabaret Ridiculous

An hour of variety entertainment that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

A person spooning food from a large salad bowl onto a plate they hold in their hands.
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Local Lunch Club

Live well, eat well, together at Kathleen Syme Library.

See all events on this weekend

More to explore

People milling around Fed Square at sunset.

What's on today

Discover free events, epic festivals and shows on in Melbourne today.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.

Lasers reflecting over water

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

A chef cooking meat skewers over a flaming grill.
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What's on in November

Things to do in Melbourne in November, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.